Westcott plans to make a presentation to the council Tuesday in support of a resolution requesting the Oklahoma Legislature try to join Missouri in a federal Amtrak expansion study.

"It will probably take years to get something done, but we need to kick start these discussions now," said the Republican, who represents District 2.

"We need to see what the cost is, what the benefits would be and what the public wants to do. I think the timing is right to really go after this."

The Missouri Department of Transportation in June requested that Amtrak look at extending service from St. Louis to Springfield. Westcott wants the study to also explore extending the line on to Tulsa.

"If we had a connection to St. Louis, we would be part of the national system and could go anywhere in the country," he said, adding that it would also bring visitors and work commuters from outlying communities to Tulsa.